# NTSB ANC87LA111: Beech H35, N5429D, Nikolai Creek, AK, July 27, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 26, 1987, 17:50 local (Jul 27, 1987, 01:50 UTC)
- Place: Nikolai Creek, AK
- Coordinates: 62.870754, -153.869537 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=62.8708&lon=-153.8695&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor, 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report April 24, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 4882
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC87LA111
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/4882/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC87LA111

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - roll/run
  - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor)
  - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, takeoff - roll/run
  - ground loop/swerve - not corrected, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THIS PILOT STATED HE DID NOT FULLY UNDERSTAND CROSSWIND OPERATING PROCEDURES. WHEN HE ENCOUNTERED A CROSSWIND DURING TAKEOFF HE ALLOWED THE AIRCRAFT TO DRIFT TO THE LEFT OFF THE RUNWAY AND GROUNDLOOPED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5429D](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5429D-2013-04-09), registration cancelled 2013-04-09, S/N D-4922, built 1957 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BEECH H35
- Registry model: [Beech H35](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-h35) (registry code 1151520) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental O-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-o-470-series) (registry code 17026, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: D4922
- Airframe hours: 4205
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-470-G 240 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Walter P. Granus
- Registered owner: Walter Paul Granus
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, June 10, 1987, 36 hours before
- Destination: PAQ, PALMER, AK
- Airport: 9AK3, Nikolai Creek, runway 36, 4,100 × 50 ft, gravel

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 38; student; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 982 total, 41 in this make and model, 940 as pilot in command, 41 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 270° at 12 knots
- Visibility: 60 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 70 °F, dew point -0 °F

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 19870726038349A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870726038349A), Jul 26, 1987: Beech H35, Nikolai, AK, Substantial damage. Reported a crosswind blew the aircraft off the runway on takeoff. Pilot did not know correct crosswind procedure.

## Other investigations on N5429D (2)

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

- [NTSB ANC01LA080](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC01LA080), Jul 1, 2001: Beech H35 (N5429D), Chitina, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's inadequate compensation for wind conditions. Factors associated with the accident are variable winds, and a downdraft.
- [NTSB MKC67F0269](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC67F0269), Sep 23, 1966: Beech H35 (N5429D), Waterloo, IA, substantial damage

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

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